Paul Sanchez
Mexico has a public healthcare program called the Instituto Mexicano de Seguro Social (IMSS) that provides healthcare services to payroll employees and others who voluntarily enroll in the system. Foreign residents (temporary or permanent) can apply for the Mexican public healthcare insurance system, IMSS, on a voluntary basis, which provides access to certain doctors, clinics, and hospitals in Mexico. However, it is important to note that US Medicare is not available in Mexico, and both visitors and foreign residents must make private healthcare arrangements. Private health insurance in Mexico can provide access to top facilities equipped with the latest technology and shorter waiting lists. Cigna Global is a popular option for expats in Mexico, as it offers a wide range of plans and excellent service.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Public healthcare insurance | The Mexican public healthcare insurance system is known as IMSS and provides access to certain doctors, clinics, and hospitals in Mexico. Some medications are also covered under this plan. |
| Private healthcare insurance | Private healthcare insurance is available in Mexico and offers more modern facilities and shorter waiting lists compared to public healthcare. |
| Medical evacuation insurance | Medical evacuation insurance is available for those who want to be evacuated to their home country for treatment in the event of a serious accident or health issue. |
| Eligibility for IMSS | Foreign residents (temporary or permanent) can apply for IMSS on a voluntary basis. Non-residents, retired expats, freelancers, or nomads are not eligible for IMSS coverage. |
| Cost of IMSS | The cost of IMSS depends on age, with older individuals paying higher premiums. |
| Quality of care | The quality of care in Mexico varies across facilities, with some public hospitals being overcrowded and understaffed. Private hospitals are generally better equipped and provide higher-quality care. |
| Language | English-speaking doctors are more readily available in large cities and regions with a high expat population. Most doctors speak English, but the application procedure and public healthcare administration are mostly in Spanish. |
| Emergency services | The general emergency number in Mexico is 911, but not all operators speak English. Ambulance response times vary by region and can be slow in certain areas. |
| Insurance options for seniors | Cigna Global offers a seniors' insurance plan for individuals over 60 years old, which includes support for pre-existing conditions, annual health checks, and cancer treatments. |
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What You'll Learn
Mexico's public healthcare insurance system, IMSS
Anyone who is formally employed in Mexico must enrol in the IMSS program and pay their employee contributions, regardless of any private health insurance they may have. Foreigners who are not employed in an IMSS-registered company or are unemployed can buy IMSS health insurance separately for a small monthly fee, the amount of which depends on their age.
The IMSS covers hospital expenses, primary and secondary care, surgery, and some medications. It also provides insurance coverage for employees' salaries in the event they are unable to work due to illness or injury, paying out a percentage of the salary for up to 52 weeks. However, there are reports of long waiting times and crowded public hospitals, and some patients may be prioritised over others due to their membership level.
Expats with IMSS coverage have expressed both satisfaction and dissatisfaction with the quality of care, which varies across the country. Those residing in rural areas with basic public care facilities are advised to purchase supplemental or private insurance.
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Private health insurance options
Private health insurance is a popular option for expats in Mexico, as it provides access to top facilities with modern infrastructure, the latest technology, and more personalised treatment. Private hospitals also have shorter wait times and better availability of English-speaking doctors.
There are several private health insurance providers in Mexico, including Cigna Global and GeoBlue Xplorer, which offer a range of flexible plans to suit individual needs. Policies are typically tailored to the specific situation of the person, couple, or family, and premiums depend on factors such as age, term of coverage, and deductible.
If you are a foreign resident of Mexico, you may also want to consider a medical evacuation plan to enable you to return to your home country for treatment in the event of a serious accident or health event.
For short-term stays in Mexico, travel insurance policies that cover emergency medical expenses may be sufficient. However, for extended stays beyond 90 days, you will need to obtain a specific emergency and medical insurance policy for up to 180 days.
It is important to note that even with a good insurance policy, there may be instances where you will need to pay out of pocket for medical emergencies. Additionally, some private hospitals may not be accessible without the appropriate insurance coverage. Therefore, it is essential to carefully review the limitations and exclusions of your chosen insurance plan.
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Medical evacuation plans
If you are a resident of Mexico and have health coverage in your home country, you may consider a medical evacuation plan to enable you to return home for treatment and to recover close to your own doctors and family in the event of a serious accident or health issue.
Medical evacuation insurance covers the costs of transporting you from a remote area or inadequate medical facility to a better-equipped medical centre, usually by airlift or ambulance. This is typically undertaken when people suffer a catastrophic illness or accident, cardiac event, stroke, or serious injury. Patients might also be medically evacuated when they need transport to a specialty hospital or when their medical condition has been stabilized locally, but ongoing care is best undertaken elsewhere.
Medical evacuation insurance is generally included in a comprehensive travel insurance plan. However, it is important to note that many plans are limited to transporting the patient to the "nearest adequate facility" or "nearest suitable facility", which may not be the patient's hospital of choice or even their home country. In addition, evacuation coverages only cover evacuation costs in serious cases, so routine or non-critical health matters will need to be attended to in Mexico.
If you do not have a medical evacuation plan, you will need to approach a company that specializes in medical evacuations and pay in advance for any services required. These fees usually range from USD 25,000 to USD 60,000 for a dedicated air ambulance to transport you from Mexico to the US or Canada, and more if your home country is elsewhere.
It is important to choose a regulated medical evacuation insurance plan that is compliant and only utilizes accredited air ambulance providers. Many of the membership and assistance plans available are unregulated and may utilize non-accredited air ambulance providers, leaving you with little recourse and substandard care.
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English-speaking doctors and hospitals
If you are a senior citizen considering a move to Mexico, it is important to know that US Medicare is not available there. Therefore, you will need to make specific provisions for your healthcare needs.
Mexico has many excellent doctors, and many of them speak English. If you are looking for an English-speaking doctor in Mexico, you can contact your local consulate as they usually keep a list of local doctors at hand. You can also ask friends, neighbours, and colleagues for recommendations. If you are visiting Mexico for leisure, your hotel or resort can call a doctor if you need one. Searching on Google from your location-enabled smartphone will also provide you with a list of local doctors and clinics, and some might also have reviews listed. Your insurance company may also provide a list of approved doctors you may contact as part of your insurance cover.
English-speaking doctors are more readily available in large cities like Monterrey and regions that are well-known for expats, like Lake Chapala, Puerto Vallarta, San Miguel de Allende, and Mérida. The country's highest-rated hospitals and clinics are clustered in just a few cities, including Ecatepec, Monterrey, and Guadalajara. The hospital that seems to have more English-speaking doctors is ABC Hospital (also known as CentroMedicoABC), which is recommended by the American Consulate/Embassy to US citizen visitors/residents.
If you are considering a move to Mexico, you should acquaint yourself with the local medical and health facilities available in your local area. Find out where your nearest hospitals and clinics are, as well as doctors, dentists, and opticians, and keep their telephone contact numbers at hand. Mexico's social security system is called the Instituto Mexicano de Seguro Social, often abbreviated as IMSS. Foreign residents (temporary or permanent) can apply for IMSS on a voluntary basis, which provides access to certain doctors, clinics, and hospitals in Mexico, although some medications are also covered under this plan. However, if you can afford it, most foreign residents opt for private medical insurance, which gives them direct access to private doctors, clinics, and hospitals in Mexico. Private hospitals in Mexico are equipped with the latest technology, offer more personalized treatment, and have shorter wait times.
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$45.5
Supplemental insurance
Mexico's public health service does not have reciprocal agreements with any other country, and US Medicare is not available. Therefore, visitors and foreign residents need to make specific provisions for their healthcare needs. In the event of an incident that requires healthcare or medical attention, you’ll need to pay out-of-pocket, or arrange a health or medical insurance policy that is valid in Mexico.
Foreign residents (temporary or permanent) can apply for the Mexican public healthcare insurance system, known as IMSS, on a voluntary basis. This provides access to certain doctors, clinics, and hospitals in Mexico, and some medications are also covered under this plan. Coverage costs depend on your age, and like all publicly-funded healthcare systems, patient demand is usually higher than the supply of services, so you may have to wait for care.
If you are in a more rural area, the available standard government-provided care might be very basic, even with an IMSS health plan. Therefore, if you are an expat covered through IMSS for your regular insurance needs, getting supplemental expat health insurance is highly recommended.
There are several types of supplemental insurance plans available, including:
- Dental
- Critical illness
- Hospital
- Accident
- Cancer
- Short-term disability
- Final expense
- Vision insurance
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Frequently asked questions
Mexico's public healthcare system is called the Instituto Mexicano de Seguro Social (IMSS). It is a voluntary program that provides access to certain doctors, clinics, and hospitals in Mexico. Some medications are also covered under this plan.
Anyone who is a Mexican national or legal foreign resident and is formally employed in Mexico must pay their employee IMSS contributions and become enrolled in the program. Non-Mexicans who wish to enrol voluntarily must have legal residency status.
The cost of the IMSS depends on your age, and there are restrictions and limitations. The fees for the Seguro Popular system, which is for those who cannot afford the IMSS, are charged on a sliding scale depending on a resident's income.
The public healthcare system in Mexico can have long waiting times and basic facilities, especially in rural areas. Therefore, most expats who can afford it will take out a private medical insurance plan. Cigna Global is a popular option for expats in Mexico, as it offers flexible plans that can be customised to suit individual needs.
